Press Release - Walmart
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At Walmart, we believe that being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. Since October 2005, Walmart has been guided by three sustainability goals for the company: (1) to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; (2) to create zero waste; and (3) to sell products that sustain the environment. These aspirational goals challenge us to take a comprehensive approach to our business to affect change within, and beyond, the four walls of our company.
Today, our sustainability efforts have broadened and accelerated. As we broaden our efforts, we are working to reduce our environmental footprint globally and bring sustainable solutions to our more than 100,000 suppliers, 2 million associates and 200 million customers. We are working with our suppliers to make their products more sustainable, but we are also helping them become more sustainable businesses in their own right. Whether it is to improve our own operations or to provide our customers with environmentally friendly products at low prices, sustainability is integrated into everything we do. It is a natural fit into our companys commitment to helping people save money so they can live better.
To keep us on track, and to ensure were advancing meaningful change, weve created several benchmarks and timelines to measure our progress. These initiatives are aligned under our three aspirational goals, and just some of them include:
Doubling the efficiency of our truck fleet by 2015. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions at existing stores, clubs and distribution centers by 20 percent by 2012. Reducing global plastic shopping bag waste by an average of 33 percent per store by 2013. Reducing packaging across our global supply chain by 5 percent by 2013. Making the most energy-intensive products on our shelves 25 percent more efficient by 2011. Expand the success of Walmart Chinas Direct Farm Program by engaging as many as 1 million farmers by 2011.Overall, sustainability at Walmart is about doing better for our customers, our associates, our suppliers and our planet--and doing it together.
Sam's Club Expands Fair Trade Banana Program
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(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - Members Generate $615,000 in Community Funds For Growers Attention Journalists: Broadcast quality sound bites available Bentonville, AR -- Oct. 7, 2009 – In October 2007, Sam's Club became the first mass-market retailer and membership warehouse club to offer Fair Trade Certified Bananas. In celebration of Fair Trade Month this October as well as member demand, it announced today it is expanding the number of clubs carrying the product from 60 to more than 100. Download the list of locations. Member purchases of the product since 2007 have generated more than $615,000 in community development funds. Each box of Fair Trade bananas purchased by Sam's Club members contributes $1.00 that goes directly to farmworkers who decide upon, manage and directly benefit from community development projects. TransFair USA, a non-profit dedicated to the development of Fair Trade Certified Products helps manage the funds and works with the local growers. In addition to life-changing social programs funded through the $1.00/box premium, Sam's Club payment of a fair, above-market price to farmers allows them to pay for environmental improvements required by Fair Trade standards. Sam's Club purchases have allowed farmers in Colombia to eliminate over 422,000 gallons of herbicide preparations each year, protect rivers with natural barriers, and eliminate the most toxic pesticides. Paul Rice, CEO of TransFair USA, tells the story of how the Sam's Club Certified banana program has helped Jhojaneth, a 13 year old Colombian girl, who hopes to be the first in her family to finish high school. "I met this 13-year old girl on a banana farm last year in Columbia - her family is very poor, and her mother works on a banana farm. In the past, Jhojaneth would never have been able to dream of finishing high school. Now, she is one year away from finishing high school, thanks to a scholarship program that is funded by Fair Trade banana premiums." Paul continues, "When you buy Fair trade bananas at Sam's Club, you are helping to keep the dreams of girls like Jhojaneth alive." View Paul's story. In support of Fair Trade month and to celebrate its expanded Fair Trade Certified banana program, Sam's Club will be offering free samples of Fair Trade certified bananas Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. Fair Trade Certified Bananas are available in some Sam's Club locations in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and Utah. For a list of specific clubs, download the list. Sam's Club also offers Fair Trade Certified coffee, wine and flowers. About Sam’s Club # # # |
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